Operant Conditioning of Sensory Brain Responses to Reduce Phantom Limb Pain in People With Limb Amputation

Description

The study will investigate the application of a non-pharmacological operant conditioning approach to reduce phantom limb pain (PLP). PLP afflicts 60-90% people who have lost a limb. It can last for years and lead to drug dependence, job loss, and poor quality of life. Current non-pharmacological interventions are encouraging but limited, and their efficacy remains unclear. Limb amputation is known to lead to abnormal sensorimotor reorganization in the brain. Multiple studies have shown that PLP severity is correlated with the extent of this reorganization. The current study will train participants via realtime feedback of brain responses to promote more normal sensorimotor response, with the goal to reduce phantom limb pain.

Conditions

Phantom Limb Pain After Amputation, Lower Limb Amputation, Upper Limb Amputation, Phantom Pain, Chronic Pain

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Study Overview

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Study Details

Study overview

The study will investigate the application of a non-pharmacological operant conditioning approach to reduce phantom limb pain (PLP). PLP afflicts 60-90% people who have lost a limb. It can last for years and lead to drug dependence, job loss, and poor quality of life. Current non-pharmacological interventions are encouraging but limited, and their efficacy remains unclear. Limb amputation is known to lead to abnormal sensorimotor reorganization in the brain. Multiple studies have shown that PLP severity is correlated with the extent of this reorganization. The current study will train participants via realtime feedback of brain responses to promote more normal sensorimotor response, with the goal to reduce phantom limb pain.

Operant Conditioning of Sensory Evoked Potentials to Reduce Phantom Limb Pain

Operant Conditioning of Sensory Brain Responses to Reduce Phantom Limb Pain in People With Limb Amputation

Condition
Phantom Limb Pain After Amputation
Intervention / Treatment

-

Contacts and Locations

Albany

Albany VA Medical Center Samuel S. Stratton, Albany, NY, Albany, New York, United States, 12208-3410

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

For general information about clinical research, read Learn About Studies.

Eligibility Criteria

  • * An upper (or lower limb) amputation more than 6 months ago, that has produced a moderate to severe hand/arm (or foot/leg) phantom limb pain,
  • * Male or female age 18 years or older,
  • * Medical clearance to participate,
  • * Reasonable expectation that ongoing medications, if any, will be maintained without change for at least 4 months from the start of the study,
  • * Able to provide informed consent and to understand the study instructions,
  • * Able to participate in the specific study procedures.
  • * Presence of other medically unstable and/or infectious condition (e.g., uncontrolled diabetes with recent weight loss, diabetic coma, frequent insulin reactions),
  • * A cardiac condition (e.g., history of myocardial infarction or congestive heart failure),
  • * Cognitive and/or attention difficulties affecting participant's ability to follow study directions,
  • * Known skin disorders or damaged skin at the anticipated at the scalp for EEG recording (e.g., unhealed wounds, broken skin).
  • * Metal implants above the chest

Ages Eligible for Study

18 Years to

Sexes Eligible for Study

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Collaborators and Investigators

VA Office of Research and Development,

Jodi A Brangaccio, PT, PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR, Albany VA Medical Center Samuel S. Stratton, Albany, NY

Study Record Dates

2025-07-01